just thought i might show a couple of methods of measuring your tortoise.i know i personally have struggled in the past to measure mine correctly often it appears the tortoise has actually shrunk.so what you really need is a consistant but most of all accurate measurment this way you can refer to the available charts and ratios with some degree of confidence.
picture 1. gently push your tortoise head first(head in shell) tight against the wall

picture 2. then make a mark at the rear of his shell on the paper thats against the wall

picture 3. measure from the wall to the mark.

picture 4. alternatively there are devices available that are very accurate.

picture 5. if measured over the carapace this will not give the correct measurment and cannot be used with any of the ratios or charts available.

picture 6.measuring the plastron i have used this in the past it will not give the correct s.c.l and i find its not consistant so is worthless for your own records.

Hmmmm, I like the gadget in picture 4......

Thank you Terry a very imformative post

i think so too
i can be difficult to explain/understand without picture examples

Terry did you make that gadget, or can you buy them??
My lot don't like me pushing there heads gently into the wall so that I can measure them.

i have pm'd you Kay

lol mine dont like me pushing there heads against teh skirting board my husband doesnt like to watch he thinks im being cruel..lmao..

think ill go on ebay and search out the cool measuring gadget what are they called?

great thread Terry easy to understand for all